Proposed $180 million QB trade skyrockets ex-Colorado Buffaloes football star Shedeur Sanders' chances to be Browns' QB1

The Cleveland Browns' QB room is a ticking time bomb, with some roster shakeup expected. Given how loaded their QB room is, rumors have HC Kevin Stefanski considering trading one of his valued picks to bring in other talents.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Stefanski will target QB Kenny Pickett, alongside a 2026 sixth-round pick and cash consideration in return for QB Kirk Cousins and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

"This destination always made the most sense for Cousins, who has a long history with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski from their time together in Minnesota. After going through OTAs and minicamp, the Browns might realize they need another veteran to compete for the starting job. The Falcons could strike a deal where they front $17.5 million of Cousins’ guaranteed money for 2025, and Pickett would be Atlanta’s new QB2," Fowler wrote. 

If the hypothetical trade falls through, Cousins will compete with Joe Flacco for the starting role.

Most certainly, it will have a clear impact on the chances of either rookie Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel becoming the QB1.

There's a consensus that Sanders and Gabriel need at least one season to get ready to take the reins of the offense. Whenever they do get ready, Cleveland might release Cousins or Flacco, or trade them down the line as veterans.

"Listen, in that building, there are people who believe that Shedeur can 100 percent be the starter of this football team,"  ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin said.

"You said it’s incumbent upon the Browns to put him in the situation, it’s also incumbent upon Shedeur to do the work, which, talking to people in that building, they’ve said he is soaking up everything like a sponge."

Whichever way, the chances of Sanders starting for the Browns are getting more real -- the only caveat being it won't be this season.